On Friday Dec.2 at the march through downtown Phoenix, a kid named Branson was snatched from the crowd of protesters during the intial pepper spray of the crowd, and placed under arrest. Branson was then brutalized by police who left him with cuts on his body and abrasions on his face. The polices also pepper sprayed Branson once he was cuffed and in the back of the police car, completely unable to defend himself. The unwarranted pepper spraying left him with chemical burns on the areas of his body that had open sores from the brutal arrest. Branson is being charged with 2 counts of aggravated assault on an officer. His bond is $2800.

Eight people were arrested at the action at the resort where the ALEC summit took place on November 30. Sixteen were arrested at the action at SRP December 2nd, including 5 who locked down in the building. One more was arrested at the First Friday march also December 2nd. All have been released as of 2pm on December 3rd.

Final five cutout of lock boxes
All five protestors are now cut out of their lock-boxes. The supporting protestors are leaving the SRP site. Cops have communicated that as long as protestors do not enter private property and remain on the sidewalk no further arrests will be made. We will keep you updated as we hear more. Remember that if you have any media from today or any of this weeks actions please use the following tags while posting: #occupyALEC, #shutdownALEC and/or #ALECexposed.

2:25pm – Protestors being cut outThis just in, protestors that locked-down inside SRP are now being cut out. 2 people removed so far. cops are being negotiated with to not use chemical weapons due to elders and families present. No further people arrested . Protestors pushed back to edge of property line.

12:13 PM – Cops pushing everyone back to sidewalk, snatched a few people from crowd
12:00 PM – Atleast 12 arrests at SRP occupation, 5 still locked down – Stand by for jail support!
10:30 AM – 5 Locked Down while 70 support in Salt River Project Headquarters SHUT DOWN ALEC MEMBERS!

TEMPE, AZ — Indigenous Dine’ (Navajo) and O’odham elders and supporters are taking direct action by occupying Salt River Project (SRP) headquarters today at 10am. This action is occurring while the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) holds their “States & Nation Policy Summit” in Scottsdale, AZ. SRP is on ALEC’s corporate board.

Louise Benally, a resident of Black Mesa impacted by SRP’s operations, is delivering a letter to SRP that outlines critical concerns of her community. She expressed that “My community is heavily impacted by Salt River Project’s coal and water extraction activities. SRP has extensive ties to Peabody Energy’s massive mining operations and the Navajo Generating Station which they co-own. Coal mining has destroyed housands of archeological sites and our only water source has been seriously compromised. Their operations are causing widespread respiratory problems, lung diseases, and other health impacts on humans, the environment, and all living things.”

“…We demand that SRP & Peabody meaningfully involve the indigenous communities they are impacting, and that they convert to non-fossil fuel based energy sources and address the health impacts on our communities.”

“…ALEC, acting in the corporate interests of SRP & Peabody Energy, continues policies & operations that are not only devastating whole communities and ecosystems, but greatly de-stabilizing our planet’s climate for the profit of a few, the so-called 1%.” stated Benally.

UPDATE ON David Ortega, PEPPER SPRAYED 11-30-11 BY PHXPD RELEASED TODAY
On Wednesday David Ortega, O’odham community member who took to the streets to help expose ALEC was brutally pepper sprayed by the Phoenix Police Department. Ortega was sprayed so much that it brought on a stroke, leading to his hospitalization. This was after the fact that he was initially refused “professional” medical. The Phoenix Urban Health Collective provided on-site medical attention until the police allowed EMS to assist David.

“It was like a cloud of pepper spray,” Ortega said Wednesday night recovering in a Scottsdale hospital. “I was carrying the Veterans for Peace flag when another person was hit directly in the face with pepper spray. I rushed to the front to help him, like I always do as a Peacemaker.”

As of Thursday David was released from the hospital and his health condition had improved.

We see true violence manifest in situations like the one caused by Phoenix Police. Whether it be police defending ALEC or ALEC attacking through extractive industries and legislature true violence emerges. That is why we are resisting ALEC. This is why they need to be exposed. Please help us resist ALEC!

Our first day of action was truly one to remember! To help remember the day of action we bring you this short zine with photos and media statements from Wednesdays action: N30 Shutdown ALEC zine. Remember if you would like to contribute your media to future projects use these hash tags while uploading #OCCUPYALEC, #SHUTDOWNALEC AND/OR #ALECEXPOSED.

We plan to release additional zines throughout the remaining days of resistance. Please share this and other resources of ours to help expose the truth about ALEC. Please visit our exclusive media blog at SHUTDOWNALEC.org.